Do you put together a basket for overnight house guests?

[Anonymous]

I’ll leave a couple bottled waters by the bed so they don’t have to trip around the house at night if they’re thirsty. Maybe a couple favorite snacks too if i know what they like. Something simple like a favorite candy bar or ziplock with favorite cookies. Usually have a basket in the bathroom for soaps or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assemble a selection of treats from locally sourced businesses, European toiletries, curated information from sites of local interest, splits of quality wines, and an assortment of bottled waters - folks appreciate having a choice! I arrange these amenities in a bag woven by a nearby shepherdess from her flock's wool.

Will the shepherdess be waiting for me as well?

[Anonymous]

That is so Martha Stewart.

It might work for a very wealthy family, who invited guests to their summer home. But it can also across as pretentious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ideally in a guest room I try to have:
- towels/washcloths
- an extra blanket easily visible in the room
- hangers and drawer space
- a few books
- a phone charger (iPhone for our family)
- tissues
- a LINED trash can in the bedroom and definitely the bathroom (I can't tell you how often I go to people's homes, particular older people, who do not line their trash cans. I know they just forget woman have periods, but it's awkward all around.)
- a small basket or tray with a travel toothbrush, small toothpaste, lotion, ibuprofen, maybe shampoo and condition (if it's a woman who would look like hell if she washed her hair with soap), and depending on the person I have so many minis I might throw in some skincare or extras if I know they'd like them (and mention to keep them)
- a few bottles of water
- maybe a few piece of chocolate

Don't dump on older people, PP. We have our own messy stuff, like Depends for example, and are big fans of trash can liners.


We currently have most guests stay in hotels, but when we have a full guest room this is my ideal.

How ridiculous (and patronizing/disrespectful) that you think older women "forget women have periods."

Many people do not line their trash cans because they think it is unnecessary. You can wrap your pads in toilet paper.

(Somehow, I managed to remember that even though I am in my 60's, what a miracle. )

[Anonymous]

I absolutely do (family and friends alike) and I love that my kids that now have their own homes do same. I typically have waters, chocolates and non-messy fresh fruits - and I always put fresh flowers in the room. Of course towels and washcloths, an easy to use by bed phone charger. If I’m organized I might get a magazine that I think they might enjoy. If our guests are new to area /visiting to sight see, we have local maps (for older people who still prefer), metro guides we’ve picked up and touristy guides. I also have basic toiletries, small packets advil/Tylenol and we keep a basket of new toothbrushes in guest bath (learned from kids sleepovers!) Because I like doing this hadn’t been a big deal as I just kept things on hand. Definitely out of practice b/c of covid but definitely did for my out of the house kid visits and we’ll have friends in from Amsterdam in a couple weeks.
My daughter still at home pouts that I don’t do for her friends staying over - and she sometimes does herself.

Of course kitchen is open to our guests - and I show them how to use coffee maker and where we keep the teas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ideally in a guest room I try to have:
- towels/washcloths
- an extra blanket easily visible in the room
- hangers and drawer space
- a few books
- a phone charger (iPhone for our family)
- tissues
- a LINED trash can in the bedroom and definitely the bathroom (I can't tell you how often I go to people's homes, particular older people, who do not line their trash cans. I know they just forget woman have periods, but it's awkward all around.)
- a small basket or tray with a travel toothbrush, small toothpaste, lotion, ibuprofen, maybe shampoo and condition (if it's a woman who would look like hell if she washed her hair with soap), and depending on the person I have so many minis I might throw in some skincare or extras if I know they'd like them (and mention to keep them)
- a few bottles of water
- maybe a few piece of chocolate

Don't dump on older people, PP. We have our own messy stuff, like Depends for example, and are big fans of trash can liners.


We currently have most guests stay in hotels, but when we have a full guest room this is my ideal.

Sure. Didn't mean to dump on older people. That's just been my personal experience.

[Anonymous]

We have a vast selection of travel sized items for guests in a basket in the guest bathroom. Toothpaste, floss, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, contact lens solution, shampoo and conditioner etc.. I hate to make them ask. We don't do bottled water but I offer them water before they go to bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I’m of the mind that doing too much can make guests feel uncomfortable.

I agree. I am normally this over the top and it makes people uncomfortable. I’m learning less is more. Not everything needs to look Pinterest worthy.

[Anonymous]

Since we live in DC suburb, we get loads of houseguests from our country of origin and from other parts of the nation and we have a good system in place.

Bathrooms -
- I have huge bottles of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion in the shower, fresh towels, liquid hand soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental picks, eye glass cleaners, q-tips, cotton swabs, shaving cream, aftershave, poo pourri in each bathroom so I do not put small toiletries for the guests. The only thing that I offer is a new toothbrush, new personal loofah, disposable razors JIC.
- I have a lined wastepaper basket, and a roll of scented plastic baggies for diapers so that if they have to dispose off a napkin or a diaper they can use that instead.

Bedrooms -
- clean bed linens, extra pillow, blankets
- lined wastepaper basket
- a couple bottles of water and tumblers
- wifi password
- tissue paper box
- humidifier in winter

Hallway and bathroom -
nightlights are switched on so that guests can find their way around. We usually leave a couple lamps on in the mainfloor so people can go down to the kitchen if they want to.

Minivan -
- We have one extra minivan for the guests that is available to them to go to DC and do the museum trip. It has the smart-pass device attached to it. We keep extra umbrellas, shopping bags, tissue paper box, hand sanitizer and a bag for trash in there.

Of course, we have stocked kitchen and pantry for them, and I cook a variety of dishes so that we can serve them sumptuous meals. I will call before they arrive just to ask if they have any other needs or food allergies. I normally pack them lunch and drinks in a cooler if they are going to the Smithsonian. I have found it very appreciated, especially if they are elderly relatives who are vegetarian from my home country. They want their familiar foods.

I do not allow any smoking in the house so I have an ashtray outside in the patio. I also do not allow pets at all. We have a cleaner who will become daily helper for 2-3 hours, if we have guests who stay for more than a week at our home. She changes the towels, neatens the bathrooms, make beds, do some light clean up, start a load of laundry and do food prep and light cooking. She is well worth her cost.

[Anonymous]

Our house guests are Dh's college buddies who come over during football season and crash in the guest room.

I'm laughing at the thought of putting a cutsy-poo gift basket on the futon for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ideally in a guest room I try to have:
- towels/washcloths
- an extra blanket easily visible in the room
- hangers and drawer space
- a few books
- a phone charger (iPhone for our family)
- tissues
- a LINED trash can in the bedroom and definitely the bathroom (I can't tell you how often I go to people's homes, particular older people, who do not line their trash cans. I know they just forget woman have periods, but it's awkward all around.)
- a small basket or tray with a travel toothbrush, small toothpaste, lotion, ibuprofen, maybe shampoo and condition (if it's a woman who would look like hell if she washed her hair with soap), and depending on the person I have so many minis I might throw in some skincare or extras if I know they'd like them (and mention to keep them)
- a few bottles of water
- maybe a few piece of chocolate

Don't dump on older people, PP. We have our own messy stuff, like Depends for example, and are big fans of trash can liners.


We currently have most guests stay in hotels, but when we have a full guest room this is my ideal.

How ridiculous (and patronizing/disrespectful) that you think older women "forget women have periods."

Many people do not line their trash cans because they think it is unnecessary. You can wrap your pads in toilet paper.

(Somehow, I managed to remember that even though I am in my 60's, what a miracle. )

Yeah, I'm in my 30s and don't line trash cans that are not in bathrooms...

[Anonymous]

Are you folks hosting the Queen?

Presumably your house guests are close friends and family so casual, help yourself - type vibe, no?
Maybe our friends, and us, are just low maintenance in comparison to the dcum crowd who feel compelled to be over the top.

[Anonymous]

While thoughtful, a lot of these suggestions are super wasteful. Bottles of water? No way. Maybe a nice glass, coaster and decanter filled with water.

Same with the mini toiletries - do you finish them off after the guest leaves? Or pitch just like hotels used to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assemble a selection of treats from locally sourced businesses, European toiletries, curated information from sites of local interest, splits of quality wines, and an assortment of bottled waters - folks appreciate having a choice! I arrange these amenities in a bag woven by a nearby shepherdess from her flock's wool.

Love it😀

[Anonymous]

I don’t now but I think I will want to do so in future. We are building a carriage house apartment over garage in retirement location specifically for guests. So in there, I anticipate having it well stocked and a treat or two.

Oh, and one dc studies abroad for university so when they co e home I always have a favorite treat in their room to say “ welcome home”